OSR Scouts learn all things safety with GWR during Rail Safety Week
August 2nd, 2026To coincide with Rail Safety Week in June, members of the Old School Rooms scout troop from Stoke Gifford were treated to a tour of Parkway train station by the CEO of Great Western Railway.
The visit started outside the main building where the scouts were met by Carys. She explained what was planned and the troop members then went to the ticket office to get a ticket to travel to Bristol Temple Meads station. They were talked through the turnstiles, help desk and yellow line procedures before boarding the train for a short journey into Bristol.
Whilst at Temple Meads the scouts were met by members of the British Transport Police who talked through their roles on the network, their powers, equipment and finally their vehicles.
Then it was back through the turnstiles and boarding the train back to Parkway.
The young people learnt all about being safe on the trains and at the stations, some of which had never been at either. The scouts were a lot more confident on the return journey and all thanked Carys for her time teaching them what they can and cannot do.
Big TY to Carys, Coral and Jane for facilitating the evening session and GWR staff whom were all eager to help.
OSR Scouts and Little Stoke Scouts join to complete expedition challenge award
On the 11th and 12th July eleven scouts from the OSR scout troop were joined by four scouts from Little Stoke Scouts to complete their 2 day expedition.
It was a little warm in Bristol but down on the coast was a few degrees cooler and there was also a lovely cool wind in their faces. The scouts met up at Severn Beach sea front and hiked to Berkeley power station stopping overnight at Oldbury on
Severn.
Carrying all their kit including tents, supplies and a lot of water the scouts split into two teams and set off just before mid-day on Saturday. Lots of checkpoints for water breaks and snacks, health checks and encouragement helped the scouts make it to the campsite. Putting up their tents didn’t take long and then it was time for a chill before dinner and some practical training in types of cooker, fuel and equipment.
Then it should have been bed, but England were playing Norway in the World Cup so a late night and very early morning happened! The tents were down by 6am, a sweep of the campsite so we left no trace and then breakfast.
The two teams were in good spirits and apart from some sore shoulders and feet they were raring to go. The weather was warm but again there was a lovely cool breeze in their faces.
Lots of checkpoints and water refills, snack and packed lunches and they reached the finish point at 12.30pm.
The scouts did a fantastic job supported by leaders from both troops. Big Thank You to all the adult volunteers for making this weekend happen.
One of the scouts (Logan) on completing the expedition and telling the troop what he did, has now completed his Gold Chief Scouts Award – the highest achievement in the scout section. He and three other scouts were presented with their awards at our final session of term on 22nd July by the Avon County Lead Volunteer Clive Sandrey at a special evening out at Paintballing.
The four scouts receiving their Gold Awards are Zara, Siona, Logan and Inigo. Congratulations to all of them after four and a half years of hard work, camps in UK and Internationally plus 97 Activity badges between them and of course all 9 Challenge Awards.
